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Acuna was clutching guns in both hands, firing at police officers, and extremely high on methamphetamine when police killed him, District Attorney investigators said.

The city has never released names of officers involved in the incident.

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin said he was satisfied with Flippo's conclusion and report, which found that officers used an appropriate level of force.

"Any use of deadly force by law enforcement is tragic for all parties involved; however, as is the case here, deadly force is sometimes necessary to protect the public from very dangerous people," McMillin said.

The Acuna incident began when a gang task force received information that they could find the felon at the Vagabond Inn in Salinas with other high-ranking Sureno gang members.

Acuna was wanted for homicide. Four homicides had happened in Salinas that week. At the time, Sheriff's Cmdr. Terry Kaiser described the violence as "ridiculous and senseless."

A sergeant spotted Acuna leaving his motel room on July 26 at 5 p.m. Acuna fled by running with guns in his hands past several businesses down a crowded street.

"Acuna ignored the sergeant's repeated commands to stop and continued to run away. This placed a significant number of people, including officers, in harm's way," the DA's report stated.

Acuna ended up running toward an undercover police vehicle that was parked in a business' parking lot at 365 East Market Street.

"Acuna, without provocation or use of any force by any of the many officers, turned and pointed his weapon at an undercover vehicle filled with officers," the report states.

Police were highly concerned that Acuna would begin taking hostages because so many people were nearby. A sergeant who was behind the wheel accelerated toward Acuna in an attempt to hit and disarm him.

"Acuna fired a shot towards the sergeant just as he struck Acuna with his vehicle," the report states.

Officers surrounded Acuna and encouraged him to surrender. In response, Acuna smiled, pointed a gun at his own head, and taunted officers, the DA's report stated.

Acuna allegedly then turned his gun back toward the officers. At that moment, seven police officers, one sheriff's deputy, and one California Highway Patrol officer all opened fire simultaneously.

Acuna died from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene.

A coroner discovered that Acuna had a potentially lethal level of methamphetamine in his body.

There were no other deadly police shootings in 2013. Salinas had four fatal officer-involved shootings in 2014.